Width-folding system and method for folding an article of clothing

ABSTRACT

An active width folder system configured for article folding within compact article folding machines and includes a holding member with two opposite holding edges which extend in an article motion direction, a conveyor configured for conveying articles in the motion direction and a pair of actuated folding members, each configured for lifting and folding at least a portion of the article. Wherein, each folding member has a retractable lifting surface which has a variable length at least in the width direction which is perpendicular to the motion direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/642,158, filed Feb. 26, 2020; that in turn is a US National Phaseof PCT Application Serial Number PCT/IL2018/050968, filed Aug. 30, 2018;that in turn claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/551,846, filed Aug. 30, 2017, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the current application relates to compactgarment/fabrics folding machines. Specifically, it relates to folders,or mechanism, configured for performing a width-folds in an article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has been a long-felt need in the domestic consumer market for acompact, affordable product which can quickly, repeatedly and reliablyfold many types and various widths of laundry. Folding machines of thefield are known and disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,973,792.One of the main goals according to the subject matter of the presentapplication is providing am adjustable compact article width foldersystem which fits inside such compact folding machines and canself-adjust to various article widths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect according to the subject matter of thepresent application there is provided an active width folder configuredfor article folding within compact article folding machines andcomprising:

a holding member comprising two opposite holding edges extending in anarticle motion direction; a conveyor aligned and configured forconveying articles in the motion direction and located underneath theholding member in a vertical direction perpendicular to the motiondirection; and a pair of opposite actuated folding members, eachconfigured for lifting and folding at least a portion of the articleacross a respective holding edge in a width direction perpendicular tothe motion direction and the vertical direction,wherein,each folding member comprises a retractable lifting surface which has avariable length, which is configured to handle various article sizes

Any of the following features, either alone or in combination, may beapplicable to any of the above aspects of the subject matter of theapplication:

Each folding member changes its length along the width direction.

The folding members can be synchronized and do not contact each other.

Each lifting surface retracts or extends before initially engaging thearticle.

Each lifting surface is generally parallel to the motion direction andthe width direction. In other words, there can be a tolerance angle of 2degrees.

The holding member can be adjustable in the width direction toaccommodate different article widths and/or fold types and the change inwidth is respective of the variable length of the lifting surface.

The holding member is configured to adjust a holding width between theholding edges in the width direction to accommodate different articlewidths and define different fold widths.

The holding member comprises two ski-shaped holding sub-members, each ofwhich comprises a holding edge located on opposite sides thereof, eachholding edge configured to define a fold line in the article when it islifted and folded thereacross.

The folding members can be operated by a single motor.

Each lifting surface has base and mobile portions, at least one of whichis actuated.

The base and mobile portions are connected via a linear actuator.

A method of width-folding an article includes the following steps:

-   -   a. providing the width folder;    -   b. adjusting a holding member width to adapt the holding member        to a desired article width according to user input or sensory        input;    -   c. adjusting the retractable lifting surface to a desired        article width according to user input or sensory input;    -   d. conveying the article under the holding member and above the        retractable lifting surface;    -   e. lifting article extremities in the width direction via the        folding members and throwing them across the holding edges; and    -   f. repeating steps d and e until the article includes two        fold-lines throughout, in the motion direction.

In accordance with a second aspect according to the subject matter ofthe present application there is provided a passive width folderconfigured for article folding and comprising three members stacked in avertical direction:

a first male member comprising two opposite first folding edgesextending along a motion direction perpendicular to the verticaldirection;

a female member located beneath the first male member and comprising twoopposite second folding edges converging in the motion direction; in abottom view of the with folder parallel to the vertical direction, eachsecond folding edge intersects a respective first folding edge at afirst intersection location along the motion direction; and

a second male member located opposite the first male member beneath thefemale member and comprising two opposite third folding edges divergingalong the motion direction; in the bottom view, each third folding edgeintersects a respective adjacent second folding edge at a secondintersection location along the motion direction, wherein

in the bottom view, the second intersection locations are locatedfurther along the motion direction than the first intersectionlocations.

Any of the following features, either alone or in combination, may beapplicable to any of the above aspects of the subject matter of theapplication:

The width folder further comprises a pulling mechanism which isconfigured to pull an article throughout the width folder in the motiondirection.

According to one aspect, each of the first and second male memberscomprise respectively adjustable first and second male extensions andthe female member comprises adjustable female extensions, all of whichare configured to allow width adjustment of the width folder in thewidth direction to adapt to different article widths.

Each pair of right at left portions are static during folding.

First fold lines are defined by the narrowest portion between the firstfolding edges and second fold lines are defined by the narrowest portionbetween the second folding edges.

The width folder is configured to perform two consecutive pairs of widthfolds in the article as it is conveyed in the motion direction - a firstpair of width folds between the first male member and the female member,and the second pair of width folds between the female member and thesecond male member.

A first pair of width folds is defined at the first intersectionlocation and a second pair of width folds is defined at the secondintersection location.

In the bottom view of the width folder, a tangent to each first foldingedge forms an acute first angle with the motion direction, and whereinthe first angle is 0 or between 0 and 2 degrees.

In the bottom view of the width folder, a tangent to each second foldingedge forms an acute second angle with the motion direction, and whereinthe second angle ranges between 20 and 45 degrees.

In the bottom view of the width folder, a tangent to each third foldingedge forms an acute third angle with the motion direction.

The third folding edge is at least partially curved, and whenprogressing along the curved third folding edge from one end to another,at each point thereof, the tangent progressively changes direction, andthe third angle respectively and progressively ranges between 0 and 90degrees.

According to a preferred aspect, only the first male member iswidth-adjustable and comprises width-adjustable first male extensionswhich are configured to allow width-adjustment of the width folder inthe width direction by changing the distance between the first foldingedges to adapt to different article widths.

A method of width-folding an article includes the following steps:

-   -   a. providing the width folder;    -   b. adjusting a female member width to a desired article width        according to user input or sensory input;    -   c. adjusting the second male member width to a desired article        width according to user input or sensory input;    -   d. Pulling the article on top of the first male member in the        motion direction while the extremities of the article hang        respectively over the first folding edges, until a two        double-folds are created, one on each side of the article.

A method of width-folding an article includes the following steps:

-   -   a. providing the width folder;    -   b. adjusting only the first male member width to a desired        article width according to user input or sensory input;    -   c. Pulling the article on top of the first male member in the        motion direction while the extremities of the article hang        respectively over the first folding edges, until a two        double-folds are created, one on each side of the article

In accordance with a third aspect according to the subject matter of thepresent application there is provided an active width folder systemconfigured for article folding within compact article folding machinesand comprising:

a holding member comprising two opposite holding edges extending in anarticle motion direction;

a conveyor aligned and configured for conveying articles in the motiondirection and located underneath the holding member in a verticaldirection perpendicular to the motion direction;

wherein each holding member comprises:

a single or two holding panels;

a width adjustment mechanism; and

for each holding panel, the holding member has a support assemblyconfigured to support and suspend the holding panel at one end thereof,and ensure article passage thereunder while counteracting folding forcesexerted in a width direction which is perpendicular to the verticaldirection and motion direction.

Any of the following features, either alone or in combination, may beapplicable to any of the above aspects of the subject matter of theapplication:

Each holding member can have a receiving plate which is located at arear portion of the holding member, extends in the width direction andoriented transversely with respect to the conveyor; the receiving plateis configured to lead the article in between the holding member and theconveyor.

Each holding panel can have a sliding member rigidly fixed between theholding panel and the conveyor.

Each support assembly can have a parallelogrammatic hinge arrangementconfigured for ensuring one degree of freedom of movement and whereineach holding panel remains parallel to the conveyor after the fabric wasconveyed therebetween.

Each support assembly has a double-hinged arrangement which allows atleast two degrees of freedom of movement for each holding panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the subject matter of the presentapplication and to show how the same may be carried out in practice,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an active width folder with retractableor adjustable folding members;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the width folder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the width folder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the folder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric bottom view of the folding members of FIG. 1,each having a lifting surface - one in a retracted position and theother in an extended position, each lifting surface having a linearactuator connected to extension bars;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the folding members of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a first holding member embodiment of thefolding mechanism;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a second holding member embodiment of thefolding mechanism;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a third holding member embodiment of thefolding mechanism;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a fourth holding member embodiment ofthe folding mechanism showing sliding members attached beneath eachholding panel;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a sliding member of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative side view showing an additional hingearrangement of a holding member;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a passive width folder with threestacked folding members;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the passive width folder of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the passive width folder of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an article in an unfolded flat position anddesignated locations of fold lines which are going to be formed in thearticle by the passive width folder; and

FIG. 17 is a front view of the passive width folder of FIG. 13 whichillustrates two pairs of width folds created in the article by thepassive width folder of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a front isometric bottom view of an alternative embodiment ofthe width folder of FIG. 1, having an alternative actuation mechanismwhich includes an actuator connected directly to a mobile portion; and

FIG. 19 is a rear isometric bottom view of the width folder embodimentof FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, various aspects of the subject matter ofthe present application will be described. For purposes of explanation,specific configurations and details are set forth in sufficient detailto provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter of the presentapplication. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the artthat the subject matter of the present application can be practicedwithout some specific configurations and details presented herein.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. An article width folder 10 has aholding member 12 (or fold-line defining member) and can have at leasttwo opposite motorized folding members 14, each located on opposite sideof the holding member 12. The width folder 10 is located directly abovea conveyor 16, which is configured to convey articles 17 to bewidth-folded by the width folder 10. The conveyor 16 defines aconveyance direction, or an article motion direction MD which isparallel to the conveyor belts 34 motion direction. A width direction WDis defined perpendicular to the motion direction MD. A verticaldirection VD is defined perpendicular to the motion direction MD andperpendicular to the width direction WD. The article 17 rests on, and isconveyed by, the conveyor 16 under the holding member 12.

A width adjustable holding member 12 can include exactly two elongatedelements preferably ski-shaped, holding panels 18, or holdingsub-members, which extend in the motion direction MD longitudinallythereabout. Each holding panel 18 can be slender and planar, and have athin cross section relative to its length. Each holding panel 18 needsto be rigid to be able to hold the fabric and counter folding forcesexerted by the folding members 14 in the width direction WD. Eachholding panel 18 has an outwardly facing holding edge 20. Each holdingedge 20 defines a fold line, or crease, as will be further explainedbelow. Each holding panel 18, and consequently each holding edge 20extends, or is oriented, in the motion direction MD.

The holding panels 18 are configured to hold the fabric to allow thefolding members 14 to fold only the necessary portion of the fabric. Theholding panels 18 are configured to locate, create, or define two folds,or fold lines in each article 17. Each holding panel 18 is secured tothe width folder 10 at one end thereof, and free to move according,e.g., to a hinged parallelogram support assembly 22.

The holding member 12 preferably has a width adjustment mechanism.According to some embodiments, both holding panels 18 can be connected,e.g., to a right-left screw. Depending on the direction, when the screwis turned, the two holding panels 18 are either distanced from eachother, or come together. This adjustment therefore affects the distancebetween the two width fold lines created by the holding member 12.

Attention is drawn to FIGS. 7, showing a first holding memberembodiment. According to the first holding member embodiment, theholding panels 118 of the holding member 112 can be located between twoholding surfaces 119, and can extend, or protrude outwardly in the widthdirection WD.

Attention is drawn to FIG. 8. According to a second holding memberembodiment, the holding member 212 includes a receiving plate 221 whichextends across the entire machine width in the width direction WD. Thereceiving plate 221 is configured to lead the article 17 in between theholding member 212 and the conveyor 16 underneath.

Attention is drawn to FIGS. 9. According to a third holding memberembodiment, the holding panels 318 can be supported, or suspended overthe conveyor 16 via a parallelogram leveling mechanism 322. The levelingmechanism support assembly 322 keeps the holding panels 318 parallelwith respect to the conveyor 16, and accommodates various articlethicknesses, folded or unfolded. The leveling mechanism allows a singledegree of freedom of movement along a curved path for the holding panels318.

Attention is drawn to FIGS. 10 and 11. According to a fourth holdingmember embodiment, each holding panel 418 can include a sliding member423 which can be secured thereto with screws. In some cases where theholding panels 418 contact the conveyor 16, the sliding members 423 areconfigured to allow smooth motion of the holding panels 418 when movingin the width direction WD across the conveyor belts 34. The slidingmembers 423 are also advantageous since a mass thereof shifts the centerof gravity of each holding panel 418 towards a front end of the holdingpanel 418 to assist in keeping the holding panel 418 in its place, e.g.,in a scenario where lifting the fabric may result in lifting orotherwise compromising the fold-lines created by the holding member 412.Finally, the sliding members 423 are configured to allow smooth motionof the folded articles 17.

Attention is drawn to FIG. 11. Each sliding member has a smoothed, orlow-friction surface 427 to enable safe and reliable passage for thearticles and prevent tangling with the conveyor belts. Each slidingmember 423 can be broader than the holding panel (extending in the widthdirection WD)

Attention is drawn to FIG. 12, a double hinge support assembly 22 is oneexample that allows the holding member at least two degrees of freedomof movement. The right-hand portion of FIG. 12 illustrates thedisplacement of the holding member or panel 12, 18 after an article 17has been conveyed between the holding member or panel 12, 18 and theconveyor 16.

Each folding member 14 is configured to lift, throw and fold at least aportion of the article across a respective adjacent holding edge 20 inthe width direction WD perpendicular to the motion direction MD.

Each folding member 14 is retractable, or adjustable, at least in adimension in the width direction WD. Each folding member 14 includes alifting surface 24. Each lifting surface 24 can be generally planar andconfigured to engage the article and preferably always faces upwards,away from the conveyor 16 in the vertical direction VD. According tosome embodiments, each lifting surface 24 is attached to a lifting arm26 which can pivot, and can move the lifting surface 24 in asemi-circular path, in which path the lifting surface 24 passes, whilecarrying, and preferably throwing, a portion of the article, across andabove the respective holding edge 20 thus creating the fold in thearticle.

Each lifting surface 24 is retractable to adapt to various article sizesto be folded. In other words, each lifting surface 24 has a variablelength in the width direction WD. Each lifting surface 24 can haveparallel (and preferably generally co-planar) base and mobile portions28, 30, at least one of which is movable, or retractable with respect tothe other. According to the present embodiments, the mobile portion 30is actuated and movable with respect to the base portion 28 which isconnected to the lifting arm 26. The total length (in the widthdirection, including both the base and mobile portions 28, 30) of eachlifting surface 24 is adjusted before the article reaches/contacts thewidth folder 10.

The lifting surfaces 24 can have various actuation mechanisms forextending or retracting at least one of the base and mobile portions 28,30, and preferably, the mobile portion 30 with respect to the baseportion 28. Attention is drawn to FIGS. 18 and 19. For example, themobile portion 30 can be connected to the base portion 28 via a linearactuator 29 that is screw threaded into a female thread of at least oneof the base and mobile portions 28, 30. Alternatively, according toanother example which is best illustrated in FIG. 5, the liftingsurfaces 24 can include extension bars 31 which extend from the mobileportion 30 and connected to a linear actuator 29, located at the baseportion 28. The linear actuator 29 was chosen, partially due to anadvantageous high locating accuracy. It was mainly chosen since it was alighter mechanism than others considered. Reducing the total mass of thefolding member 14 is advantageous since in addition to beingretractable, the lifting surface 24 has to move quickly, to throw andfold the fabric. A faster movement of the lifting surface 24 increasesthe fold's accuracy and the general reliability.

Each folding member 14 has operational and non-operational positions. Inthe non-operational position, the lifting surface 24 is located slightlybelow, or at the same level as, a conveyor top surface 32 of theconveyor 16 which is oriented perpendicular to the vertical directionVD. In other words, a fabric conveyed by the conveyor 16 is conveyed ontop of the lifting surfaces 24. In the operational position, the liftingsurface 24 is located above the holding member 12 in the verticaldirection VD and is configured to move across the respective holdingedge 20 as seen at the bottom of FIG. 3. Each lifting surface 24 hasretracted and extended positions. In a retracted position, the liftingsurface 24 has a minimal length in the width direction WD (In FIGS. 5and 6, the right hand lifting surface 24 is in the retracted position).In an extended position, the mobile portion 30 is located with respectto the base portion 28 anywhere between the minimal length and a maximumlength (In FIGS. 5 and 6, the left hand lifting surface 24 is in theextended position). The folding members 14 can be synchronized, at leastin a sense that the folding members 14 do not engage each other in theextended position, and configured for fast, and efficient consecutivemotion and lifting of the article across the holding edge 20. In otherwords, each folding member 14 can be in the extended position when theother isn't. This is advantageous, to save room in the width direction,which keeps the folding mechanism ‘slender’. Alternatively, the foldingmember can simultaneously move into the extended position, provided thatthere is sufficient space in the width direction WD. According to thecurrent example, the folding members 14 are operated by a single motor25. According to the present embodiments, the folding members 14 moveinto the operational position simultaneously, i.e., extend and fold thearticle at the same time. Specifically, even in a fully extendedposition, the lifting surfaces 24 cannot engage each other.

Attention is drawn to FIGS. 3 and 4. Each lifting arm 26 is located onopposite sides of the conveyor 16. Therefore, the conveyor 16 becomesnarrower (e.g., seven belts 34 become five belts 34—as seen in FIGS.1-3) in the width direction WD, right before entering the width folder10. Specifically, the conveyor 16 can include seven belts 34 connectedto a first roller (left hand side of FIG. 3), five belts 34 connected toa second roller (right hand side of FIG. 3), and a third roller whichconnects the two sets of belts 34 which is located between said firstand second rollers located at opposite ends of the conveyor 16. A swinglever 35 can connect the single motor 25 to both of the lifting arms 26,which lowers costs and improves production efficiency, and power savingsas compared to two motors and/or solenoids. According to the subjectmatter of the present application, the lifting arms 26 can work in thewidth direction WD while the article is simultaneously being conveyed inthe motion direction MD.

The width folder 100 can automatically (e.g.—input received from theuser prior to loading the article) and/or autonomously (i.e.—sensoryinput) adjust in the width direction WD to accommodate different articlewidths. The width folder 100 can change a distance (in the widthdirection WD) between each pair of male and female extensions 42 using,e.g., a rail mechanism.

Articles can be conveyed into the width folder 10 via the conveyor 16.The holding member 12 and folding members 14 adjust theirwidth/extension magnitude, to adapt to the incoming article width. Thearticle is conveyed between the holding member 12 and the conveyor 16.As the article proceeds in the motion direction MD, extremities thereofclimb on top of the folding members 14 which are in a respective,desired retracted or extended position, according to user or sensoryinput/s. As the article is being conveyed, the single motor 25 turns,causing the lifting arms 26 to move synchronously while lifting thearticle extremities in the width direction and across the holding edges20 respectfully. Once the extremities of the article are folded on topof the article itself, the folding members 14 can repeat the foldingaction as required, e.g., according to remaining, unfolded portions ofthe article along its length/motion direction MD.

According to the subject matter of the present application, a method ofwidth folding articles via the width folder 10 includes the followingsteps:

-   -   a. Providing the width folder 10;    -   b. Adjusting a holding width HW between the holding panels 18 to        adapt to certain article dimension according to user input or        sensory input;    -   c. Pulling or conveying the article between the holding member        12 and the conveyor 16;    -   d. Lifting article extremities in the width direction via the        folding members 14 and moving them across the holding edges 20;        and    -   e. Repeating steps b and c until the article includes two        complete fold lines, or creases.

According to the subject matter of the present application, a method ofwidth folding articles via the width folder 10 includes the followingsteps:

-   -   a. providing the width folder;    -   b. adjusting the holding width HW to adapt the holding member to        a desired article width according to user input or sensory        input;    -   c. adjusting the retractable lifting surface 24 to a desired        article width according to user input or sensory input;    -   d. conveying the article under the holding member 12 and above        the retractable lifting surface 24;    -   e. lifting article extremities in the width direction WD via the        folding members 14 and throwing them across the holding edges        20;    -   f. repeating steps d and e until the article includes two        fold-lines throughout, in the motion direction MD.

Attention is drawn to FIGS. 13-17. A passive width folder 100 isconfigured to perform, or create, two width-folds on each side of anarticle centerline AC which extends in the motion direction MD. Thewidth folder 100 is passive, or semi-passive mechanism, in the sensethat it is stationary, and does not actively move by itself, or thefabric, to fold it, but rather the fabric is being pulled thereacross(or therethrough) in the motion direction MD, to create the two pairs offolds. According to the present embodiment, the width folder 100includes three members 36, 38, 40 stacked in the vertical direction VD—afirst male member 38 located above a female member 36, which is locatedabove a second male member 40.

The first male member 38 can include two width-adjustable first maleextensions 39, each of which includes a first folding edge 44. Accordingto a preferred embodiment, only the first male member 38 iswidth-adjustable. Alternatively, the first male member 38 can benon-adjustable, and have a unitary, one-piece construction. Both firstfolding edges 44 are preferably parallel, or generally parallel, withintolerances (deviations of about 2 degrees), and define the first foldlines in the article. The first male member 38 preferably includes abend (forming a downwards-facing concavity in the male member) such thatafter the bend it extends downwards in the vertical direction, towardsthe second male member 40.

In the width direction WD, the female member 36 includes two oppositefemale extensions 42 and an opening therebetween. Each of the two femaleextensions 42 includes an internal second folding edge 46 which faces asecond folding edge 46 of the opposite female extension 42. The twosecond folding edges 46 are located opposite of each other and convergeinwards, in the motion direction MD.

The second male member 40 includes second male extensions 50. Each ofthe second male extensions 50 includes an external third folding edge48. The two third folding edges 48 are located opposite of each otherand diverge inwards, in the motion direction MD.

In a bottom view of the width folder 100, each third folding edge 48 canbe at least partially curved, and when progressing therealong, at eachpoint thereof, a tangent line to the third folding edge 48 progressivelychanges direction, and forms an acute third angle (a2) whichrespectively and progressively ranges between 0 and 90 degrees.

The two second folding edges 46 are located between the two firstfolding edges 44 (transversely thereto) such that when an article ispulled across the first male member 38 in the motion direction MD, amid-portion of the article climbs onto the first male member 38 and anyexcess fabric at its sides is urged, or folded (folds are thereforecreated both at, and by, the first folding edges 44 and, at the thirdfolding edges 48), beneath the first male member 38 and beneath thefemale member 36.

According to the subject matter of the present application, a method ofwidth folding articles via the width folder 100 includes the followingsteps:

-   -   a. providing the width folder 100;    -   b. adjusting a female member 36 width to a desired article width        according to user input or sensory input;    -   c. adjusting the second male member (40) width to a desired        article width according to user input or sensory input; and    -   d. Pulling the article on top of the first male member (38) in        the motion direction (MD) while the extremities of the article        hang respectively over the first folding edges (44), until a two        double-folds are created, one on each side of the article.

According to the subject matter of the present application, a method ofwidth folding articles via the width folder 100 includes the followingsteps:

-   -   a. providing the width folder 100;    -   b. adjusting only the first male member 38 width to a desired        article width according to user input or sensory input; and    -   c. Pulling the article on top of the first male member 38 in the        motion direction MD while the extremities of the article hang        respectively over the first folding edges 44, until a two        double-folds are created, one on each side of the article.

1. An active width folder system (10) configured for article foldingwithin compact article folding machines and comprising: a folding member(14); a holding member (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) comprising two oppositeholding edges (20) extending in an article motion direction (MD); aconveyor (16) aligned and configured for conveying articles in themotion direction (MD) and located underneath the holding member (12) ina vertical direction (VD) perpendicular to the motion direction (MD);wherein each holding member (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) comprises: a singleor two holding panels (18, 118, 218, 318, 418); a width adjustmentmechanism; and for each holding panel (18, 118, 218, 318, 418), theholding member (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) has a support assembly (22, 122,222, 322, 422) configured to support and suspend the holding panel atone end thereof, and ensure article passage thereunder whilecounteracting folding forces exerted in a width direction (WD) which isperpendicular to the vertical direction (VD) and motion direction (MD).2. The width folder system (10) according to claim 1, wherein eachholding member (212) has a receiving plate (221) which is located at arear portion of the holding member (212), extends in the width directionWD and oriented transversely with respect to the conveyor (16); thereceiving plate (221) is configured to lead the article in between theholding member (212) and the conveyor (16).
 3. The width folder system(10) according to claim 1, wherein each holding panel (418) has asliding member (423) rigidly fixed between the holding panel (418) andthe conveyor (16).
 4. The width folder system (10) according to claim 1,wherein each support assembly (22, 322) has parallelogrammatic hingearrangement configured for ensuring one degree of freedom of movementand wherein each holding panel (18, 318) remains parallel to theconveyor (16) after the fabric was conveyed therebetween.
 5. The widthfolder system (10) according to claim 1, wherein each support assembly(22, 122, 222, 422) has a double-hinged arrangement which allows atleast two degrees of freedom of movement for each holding panel (18,118, 218, 418).